favourite dance/instruction recordings?

[carolynd]

I've just agreed to teach a Regency dance workshop in October, and the person in charge has asked to have at least a half dozen or so dances prepared--in previous workshops I've only taught one or two, so this is probably going to require some additions to my music collection. What recordings do you recommend for teaching and dancing? I'd prefer more 'ballroom' music than ECD-type music, but it obviously needs to be danceable as well. Thanks in advance!

[modernmorland]

I wonder if you could help me understand what you mean by "ballroom" music? Something that sounds more elegant? What recordings do you already have?

[carolynd]

Yes, something that sounds more elegant, as opposed to music we'd typically do English country dance to (e.g. I'd prefer a band that doesn't have an accordion)--so far the recordings I've been able to pre-hear online sound more like the latter style.

The recording I've used for both workshops I've given here so far is Gadsby Tavern Consort's Stepping into the 18th Century--I guess I'm looking for a greater selection of dances in a style like theirs.

[modernmorland]

I'm sorry it's taken so long to respond. I don't know the Gadsby Tavern Consort, but my favorite renditions are often done by a band called Bare Necessities. Their cds are available from the Country Dance & Song Society, and a couple of them are on Amazon (though they appear to be quite expensive there). Another option might be the English Echoes cd, which you can easily download from Amazon for considerably less than a Bare Necessities album. Their style is very similar. I'll dig around through my music and see what else might suit your purposes.

Edit: also, if you need instructions to any of the dances, I might be able to help. Feel free to send me a message.

[carolynd]

Thanks--I've run across these two in my online browsing (I'd already bought the English Echoes Shrewsbury Lasses), and if these are the best available then I guess I'll go with them, though they're not really what I had in mind. I remember back in the day we used to have Regency dance recordings put together by John Hertz, that were more concert/ballroom music; I was thinking of seeing whether I could get hold of those old tapes but I thought we might have better/different recordings available now--but maybe not. If you do come up with any other titles please do let me know! I was hoping to find music to do dances I already know, but I may end up being constrained on this front too!

[modernmorland]

Hmm. I'll ask around--there are several people in my dance group who seem to have all the ECD recordings known to man. So I take it you're looking for something more orchestral?

[carolynd]

That would be great. Yes, in essence I guess I'm looking for recordings from bands made up of instruments you'd be likely to find early 19th century middle class/gentry doing these dances to. I did just write to the Friends of the English Regency and they still sell John Hertz's old compilation; that'll be my plan B because these recordings are something like 30 years old now and because I just recently got 'stung' again by customs and fees when buying CDs from the USA and prefer that not to happen again.